Triangle (+ Blocks and Straps)
Strengthen your legs and core with triangle pose. It is a great pose to move into from Warrior II and you can really build the heat through your entire body by moving between the two poses with control and breath. Here are our top tips for triangle:
Keep the soles of both feet on the mat. If the side of your back foot starts to lift up from the mat, shorten your stance.
Keep your front knee stacked over your ankle. If you need to deepen the pose, move your back foot toward the back of your mat.
Use your core rather than your lowered arm to hold your upper body up.
If you have neck pain, keep your gaze toward your front foot.
If you’re wondering where the triangle is in this pose (like we once did), it is the top of the thigh + lowered side of your upper body + lowered arm!
BLOCK
If you are working on building core strength or find that you collapse onto your front leg, use a block to help get the full benefits of this pose! Place a block near the arch of your front foot to help bring the ground closer to your lowered hand and provide some support so that you don't collapse forward. Find the height that works best for you!
STRAP
If you feel comfortable in Triangle and would like to add in a shoulder stretch, work on "going for the bind!" A strap or small hand towel is perfect for working on this added stretch. Place the strap in your top hand as you reach behind you. With your lowered hand, reach under your front thigh for the strap. Adjust the length of the strap to fit your practice, working on keeping your chest and shoulders open toward the side of the room.
